Sanchia Jacobs, of Auckland, was announced yesterday as the council’s new chief executive. She will take up the role on February 12 and replaces outgoing chief executive Leanne Mash.
Mr Cadogan said the standard of applicants for the position was extremely high, and Ms Jacobs would bring "literally a world of experience" to the role.
Ms Jacobs had worked in both central and local government and was a New Zealand diplomat and trade negotiator prior to taking up a series of leadership positions at the Auckland Council, where she was leaving a senior role as executive officer operations, Mr Cadogan said.
"She has a strong reputation of leading high-perform-ing teams and building effective relationships at all levels," he said.
Putting her "impressive CV to one side though", it was Ms Jacob’s passion to return to Central Otago that impressed councillors the most, Mr Cadogan said.
She spent her childhood holidays in the area and still has a lot of family in the district.
"These strong familial links meant she was able to articulate a very clear sense of what Central is to those lucky enough to live here, as well as those who visit from the rest of the country and the world," Mr Cadogan said.
Ms Jacobs said she was looking forward to being part of the CODC team and becoming an active member of the Central Otago community.
"I have strong family connections across the region and I’m delighted and honoured to have been appointed to the role."
She said she planned to spend time "out and about" in the community early on, asking people what their views and needs of council were.
"I want to see the council through the community’s eyes. I’d like to get a holistic view of what the community feels about Central Otago and the council’s role in meeting those needs."
